Pressure sores can develop when a patient spends too much time sitting or lying in one position, such as when they are in a hospital or a care home. An inability to move, either due to physical weakness, or possibly because they are unconscious, means they rely on nurses and care workers to prevent bedsores from forming. In addition to being painful, pressure sores can be an opening for bacteria to enter and cause infection, which can lead to further health issues for a patient who is already unwell. If you believe you, or a person you love, has been affected by pressure sore negligence, solicitors at The Medical Negligence Experts can help.

What is Pressure Sore Negligence?

Medical negligence may occur where inadequate steps are taken to prevent pressure sores. It is not always possible to prevent bedsores from forming, but negligence can cause harm if these correct diagnosis and treatment don’t happen quickly.

Pressure sores, also called bedsores and pressure ulcers, form due to pressure preventing blood circulating to that area of the body. If the pressure is not relieved by moving the patient, the lack of blood can kill the skin and blood cells and cause a wound to open and allow an infection to enter the body. Pressure sores can also form from an incorrectly applied plaster cast.

The most frequently used method used by hospitals and care homes to assess a patient’s risk of developing bed sores is the Waterlow assessment. Nurses or caregivers check for a variety of standard health markers and concerns and create or adjust a patient’s care plan accordingly.

Examples of pressure sore negligence include:

Inadequate assessment of a patient’s risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Inadequate monitoring for bed sores.

Not using good quality mattresses and chairs to reduce pressure.

Inadequate treatment of pressure sores.

Failing to identify infection and refer a patient for further treatment if required.

Incorrectly applying a plaster cast, or putting a bandage on too tightly.

Elderly and very sick patients is especially susceptible to developing pressure ulcers, and when they become infected the results can lead to sepsis, bone infection, gangrene and amputation, and even death.

How Can We Help?

The Medical Negligence Experts lawyers have experience handling all types of medical negligence claims, including those relating to pressure sore neglect. We represent clients who have been affected directly, and work with families of those who have died due to pressure sore negligence or who are unable to make the claim themselves. If you can show that the bedsores resulted from negligent care, there is the potential to make a for a claim.

It does not matter whether the negligence occurred in a private or an NHS facility, negligence is unacceptable. Compensation can help pay for additional expenses such as extra nursing care, loss of earnings, and any corrective private treatment you may seek to avoid NHS waiting times.

The Medical Negligence Experts are here to help you. Even if you are unsure whether you have grounds to make a claim you can make a no obligation query just by contacting us.

As every medical case is different, the amount of compensation paid out can differ. Varying factors lead to the final figure include: the level of negligence, earnings missed out on, future losses and more.

Our experienced team of experts will give you an indication of how much you could potentially claim.

We understand that when making a claim it’s important to know what to expect and when to expect it. That’s why we make the process as transparent as possible.

Your solicitor will gather all the evidence and will notify the negligent party of your claim. With your dedicated solicitor negotiating on your behalf, you will be kept up to date every step of the way.

Why should you use us?

No Win No Fee

We offer a No Win No Fee* service on all our claims - We assess each claim on its merits with the information provided, which aids us to determine its likely success rate. This takes the risk away from you.

Expert, Friendly Solicitors

Our experienced solicitors are experts in securing compensation no matter the level of negligence.

We are committed to securing the best possible outcome for you, while providing friendly support every step of the way.

Personal Dedicated Solicitors

On contact, you will be allocated your own expert Medical Negligence solicitor who will be there every step of the way. You will be provided with a direct phone number and direct email address of your solicitor.

We specialise in helping victims of medical negligence claim the compensation they deserve.

We work on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay! Once you make contact, your experienced solicitor will work to recover the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

Whether you are ready to make a medical negligence claim, or you would just like a free conversation with a legal professional, we have experts on hand to give you all the information you need. Take the first step to getting what you deserve by filling in our quick contact form and we will call you back whenever suits you.

The Medical Negligence Experts is the trading name of National Injury Claimline LTD. National Injury Claimline Ltd is regulated by the Claims Management Regulator in respect of regulated claims management activities. Authorisation Number: CRM42188. www.claimsregulation.gov.uk. *Conditions may apply